Many people with acne, eczema, or rosacea feel incredibly insecure because of pimples or other symptoms. They often shy away from going on dates or having their pictures taken. It's difficult to hide your face, and acne or eczema sufferers often look at people with clear skin and think they're the only ones with the problem. Nothing could be further from the truth; in fact, "perfect" skin is the exception. Fortunately, a lot is changing in fashion, advertising, and television that will help prevent these insecurities.
Photoshop vs reality
We spend all day looking at perfect pictures of models, actors, and TV personalities. Everyone seems to have great skin, and for viewers with acne, it often feels like it's not normal to have skin problems. In the age of Instagram and Facebook, we're used to comparing ourselves to those we follow. We don't see the 100 photos that didn't make the cut, and we have no idea of the hours of Photoshop that often go into creating the "perfect photo." We unquestioningly assume that perfection is normal and that we're not perfect.
Let's not just blame social media; it also offers opportunities for models and influencers who are willing to show the real and honest side of the story. Instagrammer Hailey Wait now reaches 150,000 followers with her skin positivity posts, and British blogger Em Ford reaches almost a million people with her Instagram account , My Pale Skin . And remember: you choose who you follow. If what you see on social media is making you feel increasingly insecure and worse, consider unfollowing some profiles. There are plenty of people who are open and vulnerable about their skin problems that you can follow. For tips, but also to help you avoid feeling like you're always alone with your problem.
Action for skin positivity
It all started with body positivity, and people who were overweight or a few extra pounds no longer felt as insecure as before. Plus-size models became stars, and the size zero trend of the 2000s was finally over. Now, we're finally starting to hear voices advocating for skin positivity. They want to put an end to the shame and insecurity that comes with many skin problems.
Photographer Peter de Vito is one of the most important instigators of this new movement. In a whole photo series, he pastes clear slogans onto the acne-plagued skin of the models. "Acne is normal" and rapper Kendrick Lamar's line, "I'm so fucking sick and tired of Photoshop," are used to send this powerful message out into the world.
Reality star Kim Kardashian also uses her extensive reach to openly discuss her psoriasis and clearly shows that the perfect pictures of her and her skin do not always paint a realistic picture.
Nearly 20,000 photos under the hashtag #skinpositivity tell the stories of thousands of people who want to put an end to shame and insecurity, a trend that's definitely heading in the right direction. Do yourself a favor and don't compare yourself to photoshopped images. Instead, take a good look around you and you'll see that skin problems are annoying, but above all, normal. You're certainly not alone. So don't hide it, but start using the right products and see a dermatologist. Take the right steps to minimize the impact of your skin problem; that's a better approach than hiding it.
